Alachua, FL: Thanks to all who sent their Holiday Greetings! Please send your regular news and photos again, now. Even if it just about how your ponies are surviving the cold!! And we hope all are……

Raymond, CA: Pat Ashworth has sent the following report: “We took our three-year-old, Cobblestone Thatch (Canal Laurinston X Landgate Rainy Blues [by Landgate Bluebeard]), to his first dressage show. It had over ninety entries so there were lots of things to spook at, but he was a star. He was so well behaved. We were absolutely thrilled. People couldn't believe that he was so young. He scored a 73% and a 71%, and he won the high point award for his level. He was ridden by Leslie Hagberg. The judge told our trainer that he was ready to move up to the next level. “This is the same little guy who did so well at the West Coast Connemara Show in-hand. He is the oldest of the ponies I am breeding for my husband's new driving team. We will be showing him in dressage under saddle for a year or two before we hitch him. This has been done in Europe for some time and is now being done in the US as well. It gives the pony a chance to mature and learn balance using all the aids before he starts to drive. As combined driving becomes more competitive, dressage scores become more important.”

Colville, WA: Kelsie Staeheli reports that Bien Mallin's Legacy ( Landgate Holy Smoke x Bar S Heather ) has gone south to Walla Walla Washington on lease to try her hoof at a new title of Lesson Pony. Kelsie says, “Legacy & Laurie had a fun ride here before jumping in the trailer for the haul down to the new box stall and big arenas Legacy will call home for at least a year. Legacy has produced six wonderful foals in her twelve years, a just reason for her to have time off from being a broodmare. Pictures included are of Legacy and Laurie here and Legacy with her first riders in the arena. She will be working slowly at first to get back in shape ana lose the baby belly. I think she is enjoying being fussed over daily, I miss her talking to me, though, when I go to the barn yard.”

Chesterfield, ID: Chris Knox who chairs the USEF Connemara/Welsh Committee has sent the following message. “Please let the membership know that the Connemara Committee of the USEF is submitting a rule change proposal this year that will create USEF Connemara Horse of the Year awards starting in 2011. A subcommittee has fine-tuned the particulars of this proposal which will go to the entire Committee at the January meeting and, if approved by the Committee at that time, will be put forward and hopefully passed by the USEF. Once approval has been granted on this proposal there will be an article in the American Connemara explaining the entire program and how competitors can earn points towards the prestigious USEF Connemara Horse of the Year awards. It is the hope of the Connemara Committee that this will lead to more USEF recognized Connemara shows and divisions.”

New Inn, Ballinasloe, Ireland: Tom MacLochlainn of Ashbrook Connemara Pony Stud and gracious speaker at our last ACPS meeting has set up a pony of the decade poll on his website. One of America’s favorites is nominated, so have a look!! (scroll down to bottom right corner for list.) http://ashbrookstud.ie/pony-of-the-decade-mkii/